Annie Gaus

For neighborhoods that deal with the Sisyphean task of keeping streets clean, the city’s existing customer service sometimes doesn’t cut it.&nbsp;

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For neighborhoods that deal with the Sisyphean task of keeping streets clean, the city’s existing customer service sometimes doesn’t cut it.&nbsp;

For some of the most common complaints, such as loose trash, graffiti or feces, it can take hours or even days for a crew from the city&#8217;s Department of Public Works to resolve the issue. That’s partly due to redundancy and confusion between cleanup crews employed by the Department of Public Works and privately-funded community benefit districts, or CBDs, that work in high-traffic commercial corridors.

For some of the most common complaints, such as loose trash, graffiti or feces, it can take hours or even days for a crew from the city's Department of Public Works to resolve the issue. That’s partly due to redundancy and confusion between cleanup crews employed by the Department of Public Works and privately-funded community benefit districts, or CBDs, that work in high-traffic commercial corridors.

For some of the most common complaints, such as loose trash, graffiti or feces, it can take hours or even days for a crew from the city&#8217;s Department of Public Works to resolve the issue. That’s partly due to redundancy and confusion between cleanup crews employed by the Department of Public Works and privately-funded community benefit districts, or CBDs, that work in high-traffic commercial corridors.

The city is hoping that a technological fix will change that. An app called Connected Worker, which was introduced on a pilot basis last year, promises to dramatically improve response times for everyday cleanup while better integrating private CBDs into the city’s expansive 311 system.&nbsp;

The city is hoping that a technological fix will change that. An app called Connected Worker, which was introduced on a pilot basis last year, promises to dramatically improve response times for everyday cleanup while better integrating private CBDs into the city’s expansive 311 system.&nbsp;

“The benefit to the city and neighborhood is that the response time is significantly faster,” said Andrew Robinson, executive director of the East Cut CBD, which has 22 full-time staff working 24 hours a day. “We want to respond to those things, and make sure our data is also in the city’s system so the city can see what we’re doing.”&nbsp;

“The benefit to the city and neighborhood is that the response time is significantly faster,” said Andrew Robinson, executive director of the East Cut CBD, which has 22 full-time staff working 24 hours a day. “We want to respond to those things, and make sure our data is also in the city’s system so the city can see what we’re doing.”&nbsp;

The city’s 311 customer service system processes roughly 50,000 calls for service in a typical month. Requests for cleaning make up the lion’s share of those requests: In October, about 40% of all 311 requests were for street and sidewalk cleanup. The city’s 17 active CBDs, which serve limited geographic areas and are funded by local businesses and property owners, are often already at the scene and can respond to those requests much more quickly than city teams.

The city’s 311 customer service system processes roughly 50,000 calls for service in a typical month. Requests for cleaning make up the lion’s share of those requests: In October, about 40% of all 311 requests were for street and sidewalk cleanup. The city’s 17 active CBDs, which serve limited geographic areas and are funded by local businesses and property owners, are often already at the scene and can respond to those requests much more quickly than city teams.

Until recently, however, the CBDs and Public Works cleaning crews had no easy way to communicate. That meant that city crews would arrive at a cleanup scene only to find that it had already been handled by a private neighborhood crew, creating wasted time and effort across Public Works’ response system.&nbsp;

Until recently, however, the CBDs and Public Works cleaning crews had no easy way to communicate. That meant that city crews would arrive at a cleanup scene only to find that it had already been handled by a private neighborhood crew, creating wasted time and effort across Public Works’ response system.&nbsp;

“My hunch is that it would often mean the city wouldn’t send someone out as fast,” added Robinson. “[The app] has really improved communications.”&nbsp;

“My hunch is that it would often mean the city wouldn’t send someone out as fast,” added Robinson. “[The app] has really improved communications.”&nbsp;

The recent push is part of Shine On SF, a public-private initiative launched by Mayor London Breed to scrub down and beautify San Francisco neighborhoods. With a carve-out of about $92 million from this year’s budget, the initiative includes funding for dedicated cleanup along key commercial corridors, trash can replacements, and improvements to the 311 response system, among other efforts.&nbsp;

The recent push is part of Shine On SF, a public-private initiative launched by Mayor London Breed to scrub down and beautify San Francisco neighborhoods. With a carve-out of about $92 million from this year’s budget, the initiative includes funding for dedicated cleanup along key commercial corridors, trash can replacements, and improvements to the 311 response system, among other efforts.&nbsp;

“Sometimes things just aren&#8217;t run the best they could be,” Noaeh Pinaire, a laborer with Public Works who scrubs down Castro Street as part of the new beautification efforts, told Here/Say in <a href="https://sfstandard.com/heres-how-san-francisco-deep-cleans-its-streets/">a recent interview</a>. “In essence, [it’s] the allocation of resources&#8230;maybe people are getting put in areas that necessarily don&#8217;t need all that manpower. I think it&#8217;s just small things like that.”

“Sometimes things just aren't run the best they could be,” Noaeh Pinaire, a laborer with Public Works who scrubs down Castro Street as part of the new beautification efforts, told Here/Say in <a href="https://sfstandard.com/heres-how-san-francisco-deep-cleans-its-streets/">a recent interview</a>. “In essence, [it’s] the allocation of resources...maybe people are getting put in areas that necessarily don't need all that manpower. I think it's just small things like that.”

“Sometimes things just aren&#8217;t run the best they could be,” Noaeh Pinaire, a laborer with Public Works who scrubs down Castro Street as part of the new beautification efforts, told Here/Say in <a href="https://sfstandard.com/heres-how-san-francisco-deep-cleans-its-streets/">a recent interview</a>. “In essence, [it’s] the allocation of resources&#8230;maybe people are getting put in areas that necessarily don&#8217;t need all that manpower. I think it&#8217;s just small things like that.”

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The Mayor’s Office frames the cleanup efforts as part of a broader recovery, positing that cleaner and better cared-for streets will make San Francisco a more inviting place to visit as the city’s battered tourism sector crawls back from COVID.&nbsp;

The Mayor’s Office frames the cleanup efforts as part of a broader recovery, positing that cleaner and better cared-for streets will make San Francisco a more inviting place to visit as the city’s battered tourism sector crawls back from COVID.&nbsp;

Using general fund money, the city commissioned developer Connected Bits, which also built the external 311 app, to create an app for cleanup workers in the field. That allows CBD workers to address and resolve complaints within the city’s existing 311 infrastructure, freeing up more time for Public Works staff to respond to citywide complaints.&nbsp;

Using general fund money, the city commissioned developer Connected Bits, which also built the external 311 app, to create an app for cleanup workers in the field. That allows CBD workers to address and resolve complaints within the city’s existing 311 infrastructure, freeing up more time for Public Works staff to respond to citywide complaints.&nbsp;

The average resolution times using the app were significantly faster compared to comparable calls routed through 311: Loose trash cleanup took about 5 hours on average with the app, compared to 34 hours citywide, according to data provided by the city. Public graffiti cleanup took 4 hours, compared to 6 days. Neighborhood CBDs must opt in to the app, and six of the city’s 17 CBDs are participating right now.&nbsp;

The average resolution times using the app were significantly faster compared to comparable calls routed through 311: Loose trash cleanup took about 5 hours on average with the app, compared to 34 hours citywide, according to data provided by the city. Public graffiti cleanup took 4 hours, compared to 6 days. Neighborhood CBDs must opt in to the app, and six of the city’s 17 CBDs are participating right now.&nbsp;

Robinson said that the “long game” is to build a unified response system that includes all CBDs, and perhaps even other nonprofits that provide maintenance or safety services in San Francisco neighborhoods.&nbsp;

Robinson said that the “long game” is to build a unified response system that includes all CBDs, and perhaps even other nonprofits that provide maintenance or safety services in San Francisco neighborhoods.&nbsp;

“The sidewalks in front of your house or business&#8230;often have more intense use than anyone should ever be expected to take care of,” Robinson said. “Now I’m able to invest the money I’m putting into responding to calls into more work on the streets.”

“The sidewalks in front of your house or business...often have more intense use than anyone should ever be expected to take care of,” Robinson said. “Now I’m able to invest the money I’m putting into responding to calls into more work on the streets.”

“The sidewalks in front of your house or business&#8230;often have more intense use than anyone should ever be expected to take care of,” Robinson said. “Now I’m able to invest the money I’m putting into responding to calls into more work on the streets.”

To help streets sparkle, S.F. looks to revamped tech for cleanup crews

With public schools slated to reopen on Aug. 16, families will soon return to a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/five-full-days-masking-indoors-and-no-vaccine-requirement-for-teachers-what-school-will-look-like-this-fall/">semblance of normalcy</a>—albeit with masking mandates and scheduling changes.&nbsp;

With public schools slated to reopen on Aug. 16, families will soon return to a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/five-full-days-masking-indoors-and-no-vaccine-requirement-for-teachers-what-school-will-look-like-this-fall/">semblance of normalcy</a>—albeit with masking mandates and scheduling changes.&nbsp;

But helping those families recover from a very difficult year—particularly those children who struggled with stress, isolation and learning loss during the pandemic—calls for a dedicated effort and long-range planning.&nbsp;

But helping those families recover from a very difficult year—particularly those children who struggled with stress, isolation and learning loss during the pandemic—calls for a dedicated effort and long-range planning.&nbsp;

“The pandemic was an equal opportunity virus, so it impacted all of us,” said Maria Su, executive director of San Francisco’s Department of Children, Youth &amp; Their Families (DCYF). “Clearly some families were impacted more than others. A lot of what we learned from this was that, of course, families that were the most marginalized in terms of access to city services and financial resources were the ones that were impacted the most.”

“The pandemic was an equal opportunity virus, so it impacted all of us,” said Maria Su, executive director of San Francisco’s Department of Children, Youth &amp; Their Families (DCYF). “Clearly some families were impacted more than others. A lot of what we learned from this was that, of course, families that were the most marginalized in terms of access to city services and financial resources were the ones that were impacted the most.”

In July 2021, Mayor London Breed tapped DCYF to craft a multi-year plan to help those families recover from the pandemic. The department hopes to move quickly, spending the next two months speaking to families and other stakeholders, and presenting a written report by January 2022.&nbsp;

In July 2021, Mayor London Breed tapped DCYF to craft a multi-year plan to help those families recover from the pandemic. The department hopes to move quickly, spending the next two months speaking to families and other stakeholders, and presenting a written report by January 2022.&nbsp;

“The mayor asked the department to help her and the city understand the impact that [COVID] had on our children and families across all sectors in the city—not just in our lives, but the impact on housing, workforce [and] transportation access,” Su said.&nbsp;

“The mayor asked the department to help her and the city understand the impact that [COVID] had on our children and families across all sectors in the city—not just in our lives, but the impact on housing, workforce [and] transportation access,” Su said.&nbsp;

DCYF was selected, in part, because of the central role it played in spinning up community learning hubs—impromptu, in-person learning centers—for disadvantaged kids during the pandemic. In collaboration with other city departments and local nonprofits, DCYF established 86 sites between Sept. 2020 and June 2021 that accommodated more than 2,500 children, including hundreds living in public housing, single-room occupancies, foster care or who were homeless.&nbsp;

DCYF was selected, in part, because of the central role it played in spinning up community learning hubs—impromptu, in-person learning centers—for disadvantaged kids during the pandemic. In collaboration with other city departments and local nonprofits, DCYF established 86 sites between Sept. 2020 and June 2021 that accommodated more than 2,500 children, including hundreds living in public housing, single-room occupancies, foster care or who were homeless.&nbsp;

Alana Lee (left), 6 years old, shows legos made in the learning hub  inside the Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Ctr. on Thursday, July 23, 2020, in San Francisco, Calif. (Photo By Liz Hafalia/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1690" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1321790165-2500x1690.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8201"/><figcaption>Alana Lee (left), 6 years old, shows legos made in the learning hub inside the Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Ctr. on Thursday, July 23, 2020, in San Francisco | Getty Images</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1321790165-2500x1690.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8201"/><figcaption>Alana Lee (left), 6 years old, shows legos made in the learning hub inside the Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Ctr. on Thursday, July 23, 2020, in San Francisco | Getty Images</figcaption></figure>

Now, its task is to review the impact of COVID-19 on a broader set of families and children, and to act as the “backbone” of a plan to remediate learning loss, advance mental health and reorient government services around the needs of struggling families in the city.&nbsp;

Now, its task is to review the impact of COVID-19 on a broader set of families and children, and to act as the “backbone” of a plan to remediate learning loss, advance mental health and reorient government services around the needs of struggling families in the city.&nbsp;

“We&#8217;re working really closely with our school district partners to try to figure out: How do we build on the system that we have now to ensure that there is wraparound support for children?” Su added.&nbsp;

“We're working really closely with our school district partners to try to figure out: How do we build on the system that we have now to ensure that there is wraparound support for children?” Su added.&nbsp;

“We&#8217;re working really closely with our school district partners to try to figure out: How do we build on the system that we have now to ensure that there is wraparound support for children?” Su added.&nbsp;

At a meeting on Monday, Su and other members of the Children, Youth, and Their Families Oversight and Advisory Committee, which oversees DCYF’s policies and planning, pointed to a breadth of challenges facing children: Mental and emotional health struggles, learning deficiencies and technological and logistical hurdles in and around the home.&nbsp;

At a meeting on Monday, Su and other members of the Children, Youth, and Their Families Oversight and Advisory Committee, which oversees DCYF’s policies and planning, pointed to a breadth of challenges facing children: Mental and emotional health struggles, learning deficiencies and technological and logistical hurdles in and around the home.&nbsp;

San Francisco Unified School District is also facing a substantial drop in enrollment, with about <a href="https://sfstandard.com/sfusd-enrollment-drops-exacerbating-budget-woes/">1,700 children leaving the district</a> between fall 2020 and fall 2021. The district hopes to retain more students and to increase enrollment in the years ahead, and may face a drop in state funding if it is unsuccessful in doing so.&nbsp;

San Francisco Unified School District is also facing a substantial drop in enrollment, with about <a href="https://sfstandard.com/sfusd-enrollment-drops-exacerbating-budget-woes/">1,700 children leaving the district</a> between fall 2020 and fall 2021. The district hopes to retain more students and to increase enrollment in the years ahead, and may face a drop in state funding if it is unsuccessful in doing so.&nbsp;

Student engagement plummeted as remote learning dragged on: Data collected by the school district showed <a href="https://www.publiccommentsf.com/post/sfusd-data-show-widening-learning-gaps-during-covid-19">widening learning gaps</a> in reading and math last year. Disparities in both attendance and academic performance worsened along socioeconomic and racial lines, with <a href="https://sfstandard.com/english-language-learners-falling-behind-san-francisco/">disadvantaged students falling further behind</a> in school. Public health experts linked remote learning with depression, anxiety and other<a href="https://www.apa.org/news/apa/2020/10/online-learning-mental-health"> mental health issues</a> in children and teenagers.&nbsp;

Student engagement plummeted as remote learning dragged on: Data collected by the school district showed <a href="https://www.publiccommentsf.com/post/sfusd-data-show-widening-learning-gaps-during-covid-19">widening learning gaps</a> in reading and math last year. Disparities in both attendance and academic performance worsened along socioeconomic and racial lines, with <a href="https://sfstandard.com/english-language-learners-falling-behind-san-francisco/">disadvantaged students falling further behind</a> in school. Public health experts linked remote learning with depression, anxiety and other<a href="https://www.apa.org/news/apa/2020/10/online-learning-mental-health"> mental health issues</a> in children and teenagers.&nbsp;

&#8220;I really want to go back to school,&#8221; said Jason Kim, a sixth grader who began middle school remotely in the midst of the pandemic, in April. &#8220;I&#8217;m really excited to go back to school and actually go back to the classroom and make friends.&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I really want to go back to school," said Jason Kim, a sixth grader who began middle school remotely in the midst of the pandemic, in April. "I'm really excited to go back to school and actually go back to the classroom and make friends."&nbsp;&nbsp;

&#8220;I really want to go back to school,&#8221; said Jason Kim, a sixth grader who began middle school remotely in the midst of the pandemic, in April. &#8220;I&#8217;m really excited to go back to school and actually go back to the classroom and make friends.&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a recent case study on the <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c01d13ab98a788a7a0cfd93/t/60de56fd05cfd9018d7ecfb2/1625184004191/CHIcasestudy_70121_FINAL.pdf">community hubs</a>, independent researchers wrote that with multiple city departments aligned around a singular goal of helping vulnerable students, participants from the Recreation &amp; Park Department, the San Francisco Public Libraries and various community organizations were able to mobilize sites that provided a safe, healthy place for children to learn and socialize in the absence of classroom learning.&nbsp;

In a recent case study on the <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c01d13ab98a788a7a0cfd93/t/60de56fd05cfd9018d7ecfb2/1625184004191/CHIcasestudy_70121_FINAL.pdf">community hubs</a>, independent researchers wrote that with multiple city departments aligned around a singular goal of helping vulnerable students, participants from the Recreation &amp; Park Department, the San Francisco Public Libraries and various community organizations were able to mobilize sites that provided a safe, healthy place for children to learn and socialize in the absence of classroom learning.&nbsp;

“When you move with a singular mission and a focus population in mind you can get a lot of amazing work done,” Su said. “We had swim teachers running learning hubs; we had maintenance people becoming delivery people, and we had all different types of people who volunteered.”

“When you move with a singular mission and a focus population in mind you can get a lot of amazing work done,” Su said. “We had swim teachers running learning hubs; we had maintenance people becoming delivery people, and we had all different types of people who volunteered.”

The report also identified obstacles in getting the hubs up and running, which included “political tensions” and pushback by supporters of United Educators of San Francisco, the union representing public school teachers, who objected to people outside their union providing in-person services to children. Those tensions even resulted in disagreement over what to call the hubs, with some union leaders and Board of Education commissioners objecting to the word “learning” being included.&nbsp;

The report also identified obstacles in getting the hubs up and running, which included “political tensions” and pushback by supporters of United Educators of San Francisco, the union representing public school teachers, who objected to people outside their union providing in-person services to children. Those tensions even resulted in disagreement over what to call the hubs, with some union leaders and Board of Education commissioners objecting to the word “learning” being included.&nbsp;

A similar dynamic played out in efforts last year to plan for reopening schools. In June of last year, Board of Education commissioners <a href="https://twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1374893836065890312">rejected a plan</a> to hire a consultant to plan for a potential fall 2020 reopening of in-person instruction. Emails obtained by Here/Say Media showed commissioner Alison Collins decrying the plan to hire an outside consultant as “disaster capitalism” in a June 2020 email exchange. No one was ever hired, and schools remained fully closed until April 2021, when SFUSD launched a limited, phased reopening of in-person instruction.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A similar dynamic played out in efforts last year to plan for reopening schools. In June of last year, Board of Education commissioners <a href="https://twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1374893836065890312">rejected a plan</a> to hire a consultant to plan for a potential fall 2020 reopening of in-person instruction. Emails obtained by Here/Say Media showed commissioner Alison Collins decrying the plan to hire an outside consultant as “disaster capitalism” in a June 2020 email exchange. No one was ever hired, and schools remained fully closed until April 2021, when SFUSD launched a limited, phased reopening of in-person instruction.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Su, San Francisco’s robust nonprofit sector was a major advantage in scaling the hubs quickly and efficiently.&nbsp;

According to Su, San Francisco’s robust nonprofit sector was a major advantage in scaling the hubs quickly and efficiently.&nbsp;

“Without the nonprofit agencies, we honestly would not be able to do this,” she said. “If you look at other cities that do not have as robust of a nonprofit [sector] as San Francisco, they struggled significantly to run something similar. Because we had access to hundreds of people, we were able to ask them to step up and step in.”

“Without the nonprofit agencies, we honestly would not be able to do this,” she said. “If you look at other cities that do not have as robust of a nonprofit [sector] as San Francisco, they struggled significantly to run something similar. Because we had access to hundreds of people, we were able to ask them to step up and step in.”

DCYF and SFUSD recently secured a donation to build a mental wellness program specifically for middle schoolers, which will complement an existing, similar program for high school students. Other initiatives that may arise from the recovery plan include specialized transportation options to and from school, more summer school options and enhanced after-school programs.&nbsp;

DCYF and SFUSD recently secured a donation to build a mental wellness program specifically for middle schoolers, which will complement an existing, similar program for high school students. Other initiatives that may arise from the recovery plan include specialized transportation options to and from school, more summer school options and enhanced after-school programs.&nbsp;

“What we’ve realized is that the after-school community is experiencing this huge staffing shortage,” Su added. “It’s not unique to the after-school community, but when you layer on top of that part-time work, and lower wage work, it gets even harder.”

“What we’ve realized is that the after-school community is experiencing this huge staffing shortage,” Su added. “It’s not unique to the after-school community, but when you layer on top of that part-time work, and lower wage work, it gets even harder.”

“Part-time pay might be good for some people, but we definitely need more full-time programing, and full-time opportunities. You need better wages and better benefits for people,” Su added. 

“Part-time pay might be good for some people, but we definitely need more full-time programing, and full-time opportunities. You need better wages and better benefits for people,” Su added.

Su said that part of DCYF’s role, in addition to surveying families identifying areas of need and writing a plan, will be to tap available funding streams to spin up the programs: the federal government, the state, the city, or even local philanthropists. If successful, the recovery plan could serve as a model for improving other public services citywide.

Su said that part of DCYF’s role, in addition to surveying families identifying areas of need and writing a plan, will be to tap available funding streams to spin up the programs: the federal government, the state, the city, or even local philanthropists. If successful, the recovery plan could serve as a model for improving other public services citywide.

“I believe when you make systems work for children and families, you improve systems for the entire city,” Su said.&nbsp;

“I believe when you make systems work for children and families, you improve systems for the entire city,” Su said.&nbsp;

San Francisco looks ahead to helping children, families recover from pandemic upheaval

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors kicked off the process of wrangling and finalizing the city’s budget with the first in a series of hearings that will determine where billions of dollars will go over the next two years.&nbsp;

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors kicked off the process of wrangling and finalizing the city’s budget with the first in a series of hearings that will determine where billions of dollars will go over the next two years.&nbsp;

At a budget committee meeting on Wednesday, Supervisors Matt Haney, Hillary Ronen and Gordon Mar heard presentations from City Controller Ben Rosenfield and Ashley Groffenberger, budget director for Mayor London Breed, who gave a breakdown of the city’s revenue outlook and the allocations proposed in the mayor’s budget.&nbsp;

At a budget committee meeting on Wednesday, Supervisors Matt Haney, Hillary Ronen and Gordon Mar heard presentations from City Controller Ben Rosenfield and Ashley Groffenberger, budget director for Mayor London Breed, who gave a breakdown of the city’s revenue outlook and the allocations proposed in the mayor’s budget.&nbsp;

Breed’s budget proposal, which she <a href="https://sfstandard.com/mayor-breed-unveils-13-billion-budget-aimed-at-equitable-recovery/">previewed last week</a>, sets aside $13.1 billion for the fiscal year ending in 2022 and $12.8 billion for the following year. San Francisco operates on a two-year budget cycle, and its fiscal years end in July.&nbsp;

Breed’s budget proposal, which she <a href="https://sfstandard.com/mayor-breed-unveils-13-billion-budget-aimed-at-equitable-recovery/">previewed last week</a>, sets aside $13.1 billion for the fiscal year ending in 2022 and $12.8 billion for the following year. San Francisco operates on a two-year budget cycle, and its fiscal years end in July.&nbsp;

“We have the chance to make a fundamental change,” said Breed of her proposal, which has a particular focus on COVID-19 recovery and response, public safety and homelessness.&nbsp;

“We have the chance to make a fundamental change,” said Breed of her proposal, which has a particular focus on COVID-19 recovery and response, public safety and homelessness.&nbsp;

Among the notable line items are $1 billion to create new placements for homeless individuals and families, $300 million for behavioral health services and millions in funding for alternative public safety programs such as<a href="https://www.publiccommentsf.com/post/san-francisco-to-boost-police-safety-patrols-in-tenderloin-and-mid-market"> </a>street <a href="https://www.publiccommentsf.com/post/plan-to-revive-san-francisco-s-deserted-downtown-takes-shape">ambassadors in the downtown area </a>and additional street crisis response teams. The budget also proposes a new Office of Justice Innovation that would be housed within the Mayor’s Office, various tax and fee waivers for businesses and low-income individuals, and other economic and workforce initiatives.

Among the notable line items are $1 billion to create new placements for homeless individuals and families, $300 million for behavioral health services and millions in funding for alternative public safety programs such as<a href="https://www.publiccommentsf.com/post/san-francisco-to-boost-police-safety-patrols-in-tenderloin-and-mid-market"> </a>street <a href="https://www.publiccommentsf.com/post/plan-to-revive-san-francisco-s-deserted-downtown-takes-shape">ambassadors in the downtown area </a>and additional street crisis response teams. The budget also proposes a new Office of Justice Innovation that would be housed within the Mayor’s Office, various tax and fee waivers for businesses and low-income individuals, and other economic and workforce initiatives.

Supervisor Ronen, who represents District 9, raised concerns about “duplication” of services between some of the items in Breed’s budget and <a href="https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/">Mental Health SF</a>, an initiative passed in 2019 that seeks to create, among other things, a central coordinating center for mental health services in the city.&nbsp;

Supervisor Ronen, who represents District 9, raised concerns about “duplication” of services between some of the items in Breed’s budget and <a href="https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/">Mental Health SF</a>, an initiative passed in 2019 that seeks to create, among other things, a central coordinating center for mental health services in the city.&nbsp;

“I’m not exactly sure what the purpose is,” said Ronen, speaking of the proposed Office of Justice Innovation. “We’re creating all of these random street teams, and a whole new unit within the Mayor’s Office and I’m worried we’re falling back into old habits.”&nbsp;

“I’m not exactly sure what the purpose is,” said Ronen, speaking of the proposed Office of Justice Innovation. “We’re creating all of these random street teams, and a whole new unit within the Mayor’s Office and I’m worried we’re falling back into old habits.”&nbsp;

Supervisors also questioned the level of funding for law enforcement in the mayor’s budget.&nbsp;

Supervisors also questioned the level of funding for law enforcement in the mayor’s budget.&nbsp;

Breed’s proposal calls for stabilization of San Francisco’s police force, including two academy classes to replace the roughly 80 who retire or leave each year. Supervisor Mar asked how soon the new alternative safety programs, such as street response teams, would result in a reduced need for police officers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Breed’s proposal calls for stabilization of San Francisco’s police force, including two academy classes to replace the roughly 80 who retire or leave each year. Supervisor Mar asked how soon the new alternative safety programs, such as street response teams, would result in a reduced need for police officers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Prior to Wednesday’s hearing, the Board of Supervisors published a list of 386 <a href="https://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/Public%20List%20of%20Budget%20Requests%20-%20Updated%206.9.21%20-%20Citywide%20Requests.pdf">budget requests</a> totaling $545 million in the upcoming year. Those requests run the gamut, ranging from $25 million to finance affordable housing projects to smaller line items, such as $25,000 to fund a native plant garden at McLaren Park.&nbsp;

Prior to Wednesday’s hearing, the Board of Supervisors published a list of 386 <a href="https://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/Public%20List%20of%20Budget%20Requests%20-%20Updated%206.9.21%20-%20Citywide%20Requests.pdf">budget requests</a> totaling $545 million in the upcoming year. Those requests run the gamut, ranging from $25 million to finance affordable housing projects to smaller line items, such as $25,000 to fund a native plant garden at McLaren Park.&nbsp;

Primarily due to federal funding—the city is set to receive about $625 million in COVID-19 recovery funds—San Francisco budget officials were able to balance the city’s budget over the next two years. But there’s still a great degree of uncertainty over what <a href="https://www.publiccommentsf.com/post/sf-s-budget-surplus-grows-but-big-risks-remain">the local revenue picture</a> will look like after that, and how quickly key sources of tax dollars will recover as federal funds dry up.

Primarily due to federal funding—the city is set to receive about $625 million in COVID-19 recovery funds—San Francisco budget officials were able to balance the city’s budget over the next two years. But there’s still a great degree of uncertainty over what <a href="https://www.publiccommentsf.com/post/sf-s-budget-surplus-grows-but-big-risks-remain">the local revenue picture</a> will look like after that, and how quickly key sources of tax dollars will recover as federal funds dry up.

“Business and hotel [taxes] have a long way to recover,” said Carol Lu, a revenue manager at the Controller’s Office, noting that hotel taxes may not recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2025 or 2026. The office is also expecting 25 percent of the city’s workforce to telecommute permanently, which may affect business taxes long-term.&nbsp;

“Business and hotel [taxes] have a long way to recover,” said Carol Lu, a revenue manager at the Controller’s Office, noting that hotel taxes may not recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2025 or 2026. The office is also expecting 25 percent of the city’s workforce to telecommute permanently, which may affect business taxes long-term.&nbsp;

Another risk is FEMA reimbursement for emergency expenses San Francisco incurred during the pandemic. The city is currently expecting reimbursement of $430 million for disaster costs, including a shelter-in-place program for unhoused individuals that will begin winding down this year.&nbsp;

Another risk is FEMA reimbursement for emergency expenses San Francisco incurred during the pandemic. The city is currently expecting reimbursement of $430 million for disaster costs, including a shelter-in-place program for unhoused individuals that will begin winding down this year.&nbsp;

However, the federal agency undergoes a lengthy process of evaluating, approving and auditing claims—and it’s not uncommon for FEMA to deny some of the reimbursement claims in the end, said City Controller Rosenfield. Either way, it may take years to get clarity on how much of that $430 million San Francisco will actually receive.&nbsp;

However, the federal agency undergoes a lengthy process of evaluating, approving and auditing claims—and it’s not uncommon for FEMA to deny some of the reimbursement claims in the end, said City Controller Rosenfield. Either way, it may take years to get clarity on how much of that $430 million San Francisco will actually receive.&nbsp;

“They have a huge amount of claims coming in from all over the country, and it’s going to take some time,” said Rosenfield. “For the Loma Prieta earthquake, it took almost a decade to clear all the [claims].”&nbsp;

“They have a huge amount of claims coming in from all over the country, and it’s going to take some time,” said Rosenfield. “For the Loma Prieta earthquake, it took almost a decade to clear all the [claims].”&nbsp;

Over the next three weeks, the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors will remediate the differing budget proposals, starting with a series of presentations from individual city departments next week.

Over the next three weeks, the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors will remediate the differing budget proposals, starting with a series of presentations from individual city departments next week.

Hearings and negotiations will culminate in a day of public comment on June 25, followed by final budget deliberations <a href="https://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/Budget_Hearing_Calendar.pdf">scheduled for</a> June 28. Mayor Breed will sign the budget by August 1.

Hearings and negotiations will culminate in a day of public comment on June 25, followed by final budget deliberations <a href="https://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/Budget_Hearing_Calendar.pdf">scheduled for</a> June 28. Mayor Breed will sign the budget by August 1.

San Francisco Board of Supervisors kicks off $13B budget negotiations

David Sjostedt

Sarah Wright

A majority of the Board of Supervisors looks poised to approve Mayor London Breed’s <a href="https://sfstandard.com/breed-declares-state-of-emergency-in-the-tenderloin/">State of Emergency Declaration</a> on Thursday to address drug overdoses in the Tenderloin. Three supervisors told The Standard on Wednesday they plan to vote in favor, and at least three others are likely to support the Mayor, according to political observers and sources who asked not to be identified.

A majority of the Board of Supervisors looks poised to approve Mayor London Breed’s <a href="https://sfstandard.com/breed-declares-state-of-emergency-in-the-tenderloin/">State of Emergency Declaration</a> on Thursday to address drug overdoses in the Tenderloin. Three supervisors told The Standard on Wednesday they plan to vote in favor, and at least three others are likely to support the Mayor, according to political observers and sources who asked not to be identified.

Matt Haney, Rafael Mandelman and Gordon Mar all said they plan to vote in favor of the emergency proclamation. Connie Chan told The Standard that Haney’s position would weigh heavily with her. Myrna Melgar did not comment but is seen as likely to support Breed. Ahsha Safaí and Catherine Stefani did not comment but both are allies of the mayor.

Matt Haney, Rafael Mandelman and Gordon Mar all said they plan to vote in favor of the emergency proclamation. Connie Chan told The Standard that Haney’s position would weigh heavily with her. Myrna Melgar did not comment but is seen as likely to support Breed. Ahsha Safaí and Catherine Stefani did not comment but both are allies of the mayor.

The state of emergency declared on Friday is specifically aimed at the drug overdose crisis in the Tenderloin, the epicenter of an epidemic that has claimed over 500 lives citywide in 2021. In particular, it would clear bureaucratic barriers to the opening of a “linkage site” connecting drug users to services.

The state of emergency declared on Friday is specifically aimed at the drug overdose crisis in the Tenderloin, the epicenter of an epidemic that has claimed over 500 lives citywide in 2021. In particular, it would clear bureaucratic barriers to the opening of a “linkage site” connecting drug users to services.

But opponents of the emergency declaration see it as inextricably linked to the broader law-enforcement crackdown on drug use and street crime in the Tenderloin that Breed announced earlier last week.&nbsp;&nbsp;

But opponents of the emergency declaration see it as inextricably linked to the broader law-enforcement crackdown on drug use and street crime in the Tenderloin that Breed announced earlier last week.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dissenting voter Supervisor Dean Preston criticized the plan in a Twitter thread on Tuesday, objecting to it as a rehashed mechanism of the failed war on drugs. Breed has on numerous occasions <a href="https://sfstandard.com/mayor-breed-calls-for-change-to-state-law-to-expand-involuntary-mental-health-treatment/">advocated for compelled treatment</a> and said during a press conference last week that the city is no longer going to give drug users a choice.&nbsp;

Dissenting voter Supervisor Dean Preston criticized the plan in a Twitter thread on Tuesday, objecting to it as a rehashed mechanism of the failed war on drugs. Breed has on numerous occasions <a href="https://sfstandard.com/mayor-breed-calls-for-change-to-state-law-to-expand-involuntary-mental-health-treatment/">advocated for compelled treatment</a> and said during a press conference last week that the city is no longer going to give drug users a choice.&nbsp;

“Threatening people with arrest doesn’t work as a way to get addicted folks into treatment,” Preston wrote.

“Threatening people with arrest doesn’t work as a way to get addicted folks into treatment,” Preston wrote.

Supervisor Matt Haney, whose district includes the Tenderloin, tried to placate critics while still supporting the Mayor’s policies.

Supervisor Matt Haney, whose district includes the Tenderloin, tried to placate critics while still supporting the Mayor’s policies.

“I recognize that the mayor has said some things about the Tenderloin, some of which are things I disagree with. … But I have always felt that we need a public health response on our streets that matches the deadly epidemic we are facing,” Haney told The Standard. “If someone is threatened with jail to go to a linkage site then they can just walk away &#8230; They should not be threatened with jail. That should not happen.”&nbsp;

“I recognize that the mayor has said some things about the Tenderloin, some of which are things I disagree with. … But I have always felt that we need a public health response on our streets that matches the deadly epidemic we are facing,” Haney told The Standard. “If someone is threatened with jail to go to a linkage site then they can just walk away ... They should not be threatened with jail. That should not happen.”&nbsp;

“I recognize that the mayor has said some things about the Tenderloin, some of which are things I disagree with. … But I have always felt that we need a public health response on our streets that matches the deadly epidemic we are facing,” Haney told The Standard. “If someone is threatened with jail to go to a linkage site then they can just walk away &#8230; They should not be threatened with jail. That should not happen.”&nbsp;

In 2020, San Francisco tallied well over one-fourth of the total overdose deaths that occurred in New York City, which has 10 times the population.&nbsp;

In 2020, San Francisco tallied well over one-fourth of the total overdose deaths that occurred in New York City, which has 10 times the population.&nbsp;

A woman named Lil Bit, who became addicted to drugs 2 years ago after her daughter died, displays her drug paraphernalia in San Francisco’s United Nations Plaza on Dec. 20, 2021. | James Wyatt

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1663" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/DocumentingTenderloin_JamesWyatt_SFS_33-1-2500x1663.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-20786"/><figcaption>A woman named Lil Bit, who became addicted to drugs 2 years ago after her daughter died, displays her drug paraphernalia in San Francisco’s United Nations Plaza on Dec. 20, 2021. | James Wyatt</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/DocumentingTenderloin_JamesWyatt_SFS_33-1-2500x1663.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-20786"/><figcaption>A woman named Lil Bit, who became addicted to drugs 2 years ago after her daughter died, displays her drug paraphernalia in San Francisco’s United Nations Plaza on Dec. 20, 2021. | James Wyatt</figcaption></figure>

Breed’s emergency declaration pertains only to the region overseen by the Tenderloin Police Department and is separate from her previous announcement of a move to&nbsp; increase police presence in the neighborhood, according to Andy Lynch, the mayor’s spokesperson.&nbsp;

Breed’s emergency declaration pertains only to the region overseen by the Tenderloin Police Department and is separate from her previous announcement of a move to&nbsp; increase police presence in the neighborhood, according to Andy Lynch, the mayor’s spokesperson.&nbsp;

“Increasing police in an area of the City doesn’t require an emergency declaration,” Lynch said, emphasizing that the main intent of the order is to allow the city to move quickly in opening the linkage site.

“Increasing police in an area of the City doesn’t require an emergency declaration,” Lynch said, emphasizing that the main intent of the order is to allow the city to move quickly in opening the linkage site.

If it passes, the emergency declaration would be in effect for up to 90 days, effectively eliminating processes that generally delay the implementation of city infrastructure. A similar ordinance was passed during the pandemic to expedite the purchase of shelter in place hotels and the sanctioning of safe sleeping villages.&nbsp;

If it passes, the emergency declaration would be in effect for up to 90 days, effectively eliminating processes that generally delay the implementation of city infrastructure. A similar ordinance was passed during the pandemic to expedite the purchase of shelter in place hotels and the sanctioning of safe sleeping villages.&nbsp;

The passing of the declaration would also enable the director of the Department of Emergency Management, Mary Caroll, to implement temporary facilities pertaining to public health, behavioral health, social or housing services at her own discretion.&nbsp;

The passing of the declaration would also enable the director of the Department of Emergency Management, Mary Caroll, to implement temporary facilities pertaining to public health, behavioral health, social or housing services at her own discretion.&nbsp;

Although fentanyl deaths were down last year in the city, fentanyl was a factor in more than 70% of overdose deaths between January and October 2021, an increase of nearly 20% since 2019, according to the mayor’s proclamation. The Tenderloin is one local hub for drug dealers and users, making it the target of recent efforts to crack down on drug use and help people struggling with addiction. <a href="https://skylab.cdph.ca.gov/ODdash/">Fentanyl deaths have risen by 23% across California</a> this year, too, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows.

Although fentanyl deaths were down last year in the city, fentanyl was a factor in more than 70% of overdose deaths between January and October 2021, an increase of nearly 20% since 2019, according to the mayor’s proclamation. The Tenderloin is one local hub for drug dealers and users, making it the target of recent efforts to crack down on drug use and help people struggling with addiction. <a href="https://skylab.cdph.ca.gov/ODdash/">Fentanyl deaths have risen by 23% across California</a> this year, too, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows.

San Francisco isn’t the only major metropolis with an overdose problem. Midway through 2021, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office saw <a href="https://lasd.org/fentanyl-awareness/">fentanyl deaths rise by nearly 60% in the city</a>. The trends are the same across the nation, where this year, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/17/health/drug-overdoses-fentanyl-deaths.html">more than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses</a>—setting a new record.

San Francisco isn’t the only major metropolis with an overdose problem. Midway through 2021, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office saw <a href="https://lasd.org/fentanyl-awareness/">fentanyl deaths rise by nearly 60% in the city</a>. The trends are the same across the nation, where this year, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/17/health/drug-overdoses-fentanyl-deaths.html">more than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses</a>—setting a new record.

In response to Breed’s announcement earlier this week, Board President Shamann Walton, who plans to vote “no” tomorrow, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/backlash-mounts-against-breeds-tenderloin-crackdown-as-board-vote-approaches/">held a press conference</a> saying he won’t support the declaration or Breed’s desire to flood the Tenderloin with police. In lieu of incarceration, he wants to see expanded support for people with mental, behavioral health and substance abuse issues.

In response to Breed’s announcement earlier this week, Board President Shamann Walton, who plans to vote “no” tomorrow, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/backlash-mounts-against-breeds-tenderloin-crackdown-as-board-vote-approaches/">held a press conference</a> saying he won’t support the declaration or Breed’s desire to flood the Tenderloin with police. In lieu of incarceration, he wants to see expanded support for people with mental, behavioral health and substance abuse issues.

“Locking people up for addictions and mental illness has never worked in this City or in this country,” Walton said earlier this week.

“Locking people up for addictions and mental illness has never worked in this City or in this country,” Walton said earlier this week.

Mandelman said while the Tenderloin is far from the only neighborhood in the city in need of help, citing the Castro in his own district as one example, he is in favor of the emergency declaration—and said he wants to see the mayor’s idea for a site to connect drug users with health services come to fruition.

Mandelman said while the Tenderloin is far from the only neighborhood in the city in need of help, citing the Castro in his own district as one example, he is in favor of the emergency declaration—and said he wants to see the mayor’s idea for a site to connect drug users with health services come to fruition.

While acknowledging his colleagues&#8217; concerns about policing, Mandelman, too, sees the two moves as distinct, and thinks Breed will activate the city’s police regardless of Thursday’s vote.&nbsp;

While acknowledging his colleagues' concerns about policing, Mandelman, too, sees the two moves as distinct, and thinks Breed will activate the city’s police regardless of Thursday’s vote.&nbsp;

While acknowledging his colleagues&#8217; concerns about policing, Mandelman, too, sees the two moves as distinct, and thinks Breed will activate the city’s police regardless of Thursday’s vote.&nbsp;

“She believes sometimes police are going to be necessary, and so do I,” Mandelman said.

“She believes sometimes police are going to be necessary, and so do I,” Mandelman said.

After a briefing from the Department of Emergency Management yesterday, Mar says he now has a better understanding of the plan’s emphasis on connecting drug users to services over increasing law enforcement and plans to support the emergency declaration.

After a briefing from the Department of Emergency Management yesterday, Mar says he now has a better understanding of the plan’s emphasis on connecting drug users to services over increasing law enforcement and plans to support the emergency declaration.

Chan said she has not yet decided how she will vote tomorrow, and has “a lot of questions about this declaration” to ask at tomorrow’s board meeting. She emphasized the importance of Haney’s leadership in this issue because “he knows Tenderloin better than I do.”

Chan said she has not yet decided how she will vote tomorrow, and has “a lot of questions about this declaration” to ask at tomorrow’s board meeting. She emphasized the importance of Haney’s leadership in this issue because “he knows Tenderloin better than I do.”

Walton said he’s frustrated that the focus has stayed on the Tenderloin, when there have been 16 homicides in District 10, which includes Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, Hunters Point and the Bayview, just this year.&nbsp;

Walton said he’s frustrated that the focus has stayed on the Tenderloin, when there have been 16 homicides in District 10, which includes Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, Hunters Point and the Bayview, just this year.&nbsp;

“No one seems to be concerned,” Walton said.

“No one seems to be concerned,” Walton said.

Additional reporting from Han Li, Meaghan Mitchell and Mike Ege.

Additional reporting from Han Li, Meaghan Mitchell and Mike Ege.

Tenderloin crackdown: Supervisors likely to approve state of emergency amid arguments over policing

With a moratorium on commercial evictions set to expire, San Francisco plans to establish a relief fund intended to help stave off a wave of closures and settle hundreds of millions in outstanding rent debt.&nbsp;

With a moratorium on commercial evictions set to expire, San Francisco plans to establish a relief fund intended to help stave off a wave of closures and settle hundreds of millions in outstanding rent debt.&nbsp;

Combined with a forbearance period, the city hopes that the fund will save thousands of small businesses and jobs, said Supervisor Ahsha Safai at a hearing of the Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance committee on Wednesday. The three-person committee voted unanimously to advance the plan to the full board.&nbsp;

Combined with a forbearance period, the city hopes that the fund will save thousands of small businesses and jobs, said Supervisor Ahsha Safai at a hearing of the Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance committee on Wednesday. The three-person committee voted unanimously to advance the plan to the full board.&nbsp;

“This is an imminent crisis&#8230;with the scale of back rent exceeding the hundreds of millions, this is something we’re very concerned about,” said Safai. “It affects every single district and every single merchant corridor.”

“This is an imminent crisis...with the scale of back rent exceeding the hundreds of millions, this is something we’re very concerned about,” said Safai. “It affects every single district and every single merchant corridor.”

“This is an imminent crisis&#8230;with the scale of back rent exceeding the hundreds of millions, this is something we’re very concerned about,” said Safai. “It affects every single district and every single merchant corridor.”

If approved and signed by Mayor London Breed, a relief fund would be created to offer grants for commercial landlords. Safai proposed that the fund include $25 million—a fraction of the total back rent owed, according to estimates—though it&#8217;s not yet clear where the funding would come from.

If approved and signed by Mayor London Breed, a relief fund would be created to offer grants for commercial landlords. Safai proposed that the fund include $25 million—a fraction of the total back rent owed, according to estimates—though it's not yet clear where the funding would come from.

If approved and signed by Mayor London Breed, a relief fund would be created to offer grants for commercial landlords. Safai proposed that the fund include $25 million—a fraction of the total back rent owed, according to estimates—though it&#8217;s not yet clear where the funding would come from.

Those landlords would have to agree to apply the full grant to the balance of back rent, and to renegotiate the lease with their tenant and cut a deal for the remaining balance. The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) would administer the grants, which will be capped at $35,000 each.&nbsp;

Those landlords would have to agree to apply the full grant to the balance of back rent, and to renegotiate the lease with their tenant and cut a deal for the remaining balance. The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) would administer the grants, which will be capped at $35,000 each.&nbsp;

Many business owners said they’d accrued tens of thousands in back rent during pandemic-related shutdowns, or had landlords who were unwilling to negotiate rent reductions as their revenues withered.&nbsp;

Many business owners said they’d accrued tens of thousands in back rent during pandemic-related shutdowns, or had landlords who were unwilling to negotiate rent reductions as their revenues withered.&nbsp;

One speaker at Wednesday’s meeting, a stylist at House of Mahogany salon in the Ingleside district, said that the salon’s cooperative business model made it ineligible for federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans because it doesn’t pay out salaries.&nbsp;

One speaker at Wednesday’s meeting, a stylist at House of Mahogany salon in the Ingleside district, said that the salon’s cooperative business model made it ineligible for federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans because it doesn’t pay out salaries.&nbsp;

“I think we all know the federal financial relief, through the Paycheck Protection Program and Restaurant Revitalization Fund loans, fell far short of our need,” added Laurie Thomas, executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund, approved by Congress in March, ran out of money in June and with a backlog of more than 177,000 applications.&nbsp;

“I think we all know the federal financial relief, through the Paycheck Protection Program and Restaurant Revitalization Fund loans, fell far short of our need,” added Laurie Thomas, executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund, approved by Congress in March, ran out of money in June and with a backlog of more than 177,000 applications.&nbsp;

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Tenderloin crackdown: Supervisors likely to approve state of emergency amid arguments over policing

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